THE NSW Opposition has called for more community consultation over the Windsor Bridge options.
Hawkesbury Duty MLC, Peter Primrose, visited Thompson Square to hear first hand the concerns of local residents about the impact of Option 1 on the historic square.
“My colleague, Labor’s spokes-person for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, has raised this issue with the State Opposition, because of the concerns the community has that its voice is not being heard,” Mr Primrose said.
“I’ll be preparing a report for the Shadow Roads Minister Robert Furolo to consider,” he said.
“This is an important bridge not only in terms of the transport needs of the Windsor community but in also in terms of the heritage value of the bridge to the community, and the NSW Government must continue to consult with the community at every stage of the project,” he said.
Ms Templeman said she was very concerned that local MPs appeared not to be taking the community outcry seriously.
“I’m grateful to Peter for coming and learning about the reasons why many in the community believe that Thompson Square is a crucial part of our heritage and significant for us all, and why there might be a more appropriate location for a new bridge,” Ms Templeman said.
“I congratulate the people who have taken up this issue with such passion – the heritage issues alone are compelling and we will all await the outcome of the application for national heritage listing.”
Spokesperson for CAWB Dail Miller said it was even more crucial that the elected representatives listen to the community given the recent confirmation of Thompson Square’s status in Australia’s heritage.
“Not only is Thompson Square the only public place that survives in this country from the 1700’s but is in fact the country’s very first public space,” Mr Miller said.
“This changes everything and this is why Thompson Square has recently been nominated for National Heritage Listing.”